A recent sewage spill is further proof that a village will be unable to cope with a new housing development that would increase its size by 10 per cent, according to a leading local voice.

In a serious incident in Troon near Camborne, a sewage tank at Troon Farm discharged raw sewage into the river due to a blocked pipe. The leak killed a number of fish, the founder of the village's residents association claimed.

The Planning Inspectorate is currently mulling over an application from London-based Troon Estates Ltd regarding plans to build up to 70 homes with associated access, landscaping, open space and drainage infrastructure on green land at the rear of Fore Street.

More than 700 people initially signed a petition against the application which was handed to Cornwall Council as tensions continued to mount.

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In October last year Cornwall Live reported how residents in Troon breathed a sigh of relief after the developer's proposal was turned down by Cornwall Council.

Prior to the decision Cornwall Live reported that about 200 residents of the village turned out in force at a public meeting organised by Cornwall Council to air their views over the plans.

The application had been unpopular from the start, with many concerned about strains it would put on local infrastructure, with some saying it could increase the size of the population by 11 per cent in a village which already has a primary school operating at near to full capacity and exacerbate existing flooding issues.

Activity at Troon farm following the discharge

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A number of accidents have also been reported on roads, and protesters said that about 100 extra cars will only make things worse. There has also been concerns regarding underground mine workings after Polgine Lane - it's listed as an access route to the proposed site which was the scene of a subsidence issue prompting intervention from Cormac.

Relief following the decision to turn down the initial application was short lived and an appeal was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate which is currently being considered.

Last week a considerable number of protestors attended a Planning Inspectorate meeting to air their views. A final decision is expected in the coming weeks.

Work being carried out to address the subsidence issue in Troon recently

One of those speaking at the meeting was founder of the Troon Residents Association, Rachel Goodman, who has since claimed that the sewage leak is further reason to turn down the plans.

She said: “The turnout at the hearing was brilliant despite it being held during working hours, the room at Dolcoath was full. The hearing started at 10am and was adjourned at 1:15pm with the site visit following at 2:15pm and the hearing was closed at 2:50pm.

“I spoke at the meeting and a number of residents also gave their reasons for objecting to the application. It will be another six weeks before the Planning Inspector makes its decision.

“However there was a serious incident on Thursday evening (August 6) when the sewage tank at Troon Farm discharged raw sewage into the river due to a blocked pipe.

“I have let George Eustice know and I have forwarded the information to Surfers Against Sewage.

“The incident was caused by a blocked pipe in the tank, this resulted in raw sewage being discharged into the river. There were a large number of dead fish visible which will ultimately result in all wildlife being affected from Troon to at least Barripper and possibly beyond. This is an environmental disaster and this happened when there has been very little rainfall. This is not an isolated incident.

“This has got to be proof of how the sewerage system at Troon is inadequate to deal with the current housing let alone a further large development, and this when there has very little rainfall lately.”

Troon Estates Ltd has never responded to Cornwall Live’s requests for comment.

A South West Water spokesperson said: “We found and cleared a sewer blockage in a field near Troon on Thursday September 6, which was reported to us by a member of the public that day. The blockage had caused an overflow into the nearby watercourse, which we cleaned up.

“Our initial findings indicate that the blockage was caused by a build-up of cement in the pipes. When we have permission from the landowner, we will return to survey the sewer network in the area using CCTV and carry out further sewer cleansing to remove any other inappropriate material.”